Press Release

Senator Schumer Says Passing Obamacare Was a Mistake

Senator Schumer Says Passing Obamacare Was a MistakeSenate's Number Three Democrat Acknowledges Error

(Washington, D.C.) - In comments delivered today in Washington, senior member of the Senate leadership Charles Schumer (D-NY) suggested it was a mistake for Congress to pass the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. According to press reports, Schumer said that after the 2008 election, Democrats in Congress "put [their] focus on the wrong problem -- health care reform," instead of aiding the middle class. He said that the ACA "wasn't the change we were hired to make." The comments come amidst reports that 40 percent of all uninsured Americans plan to remain uninsured - despite the law, and that cancer patients in particular are finding their treatment costs increasing because of it.

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

"The first step to tackling a problem is admitting that it exists, so it's encouraging to hear one of the Democratic leaders who brought us the health care law admit this was a mistake. For millions of Americans, the health care law means higher premiums, higher health care costs, and less access to care - during a time when many are still struggling paycheck to paycheck. This is not what people were promised, and it is obviously not what they voted for. It is about time someone acknowledged it.

But while this is a first step, it won't count for much if it is not matched with real proposals to correct the mistakes and replace them with real reforms. Protecting the strengths of the current system, empowering consumers, and promoting free market competition is the right way to reform health care. Let's begin to reform the reform."